Happy Birthday to the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve!
Author: Julianna Cooper, Challenge America Program Coordinator
Happy 83rd Birthday to the Coast Guard Reserve Component! (1941-2024)
This small but mighty U.S. military reserve branch consists of over 7,000 reservists, or “coasties,” as many call themselves.
A little history about the Coast Guard Reserve…
Originally established on June 23, 1939, the Coast Guard Reserve was a civilian volunteer reserve tasked with promoting maritime safety, law compliance assistance, and supporting active duty Coast Guard forces. This act was passed to promote safety on the high seas and the nation’s navigable waters, particularly after an uptick in boating accidents and calls for assistance for the United States Coast Guard after the invention of the single-operator motorboat and outboard engine in the 20th century. This original Reserve was non-military and formed by unpaid, volunteer U.S. citizens who owned yachts or boats.
On February 19, 1941, Congress passed an act that restructured the Coast Guard Reserve. The Coast Guard now has two reserve forces: the USCG Reserve was renamed the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary - continuing to perform the duties of the previous Coast Guard Reserve - and a new military branch was introduced, forming the Coast Guard Reserve as we know it today.
The new Coast Guard Reserve was modeled after the Naval Reserve within the Coast Guard. There were the Regular Reservists, serving on active duty during World War II, and Temporary Reservists, performing coastal patrols and port security work.
One of the seven reserve components of the U.S. armed forces, the Coast Guard Reserve made up over 90 percent of the 214,000 members serving in the Coast Guard in World War II.
“Semper Paratus” - Always Ready
The Coast Guard’s motto “Semper Paratus,” has an interesting and slightly mysterious origin - no specific individual is credited for its creation. One theory is that Capt. Francis Saltus Van Boserck, more commonly known as Captain Van, wrote the words to the “Semper Paratus” marching song for the United States Revenue Cutter Service (precursor to the Coast Guard) in 1922. Another theory is that The New Orleans Bee referred to the USRC Ingham as “Semper Paratus” after it was the first US warship to engage a Mexican warship in combat in 1836.
Whatever its origin, the motto “Semper Paratus” stands proud and accurate in its description of this small but mighty arm of the U.S. Coast Guard - one that is on call 24/7, 365 days a year!
The Coast Guard Reserve Anthem
The Coast Guard Reserve has its own anthem, separate from the Coast Guard march (Semper Paratus) named ‘The Golden Reserve.’ Listen to this beautiful anthem HERE!
The Coast Guard Reserve Seal
Designed in 1991, the seal of the Coast Guard Reserve is entirely different from the Coast Guard Seal - though it was inspired by it. With classic red, white, and blue colors, it is accented with gold to symbolize achievement and excellence. The seal depicts crossed anchors supporting a shield (adapted from the Coast Guard seal), and a sword symbolizing both defense and the reserve’s military heritage.
